28: Knitting: Izzy and Owen

Izzy picked up a lot of tricks from the family circus. She could walk the tight rope, juggle, stand on her head atop an elephant, wrestle alligators, tame lions . . . the list went on. She had even been a clown for a short time, but that didn't last long, mainly because she thought her talents were best suited elsewhere. Either way, Izzy was a girl of many talents, and she just so happened to be in love with a boy who possessed few, not that she minded. It was her family that really had the issue with it, at least in the beginning.

During "Total Drama", which she and Owen were both a part of for a long time, things hadn't gone smoothly for them. Things were said, other people were brought into it; there may have been some cheating involved on her part . . . needless to say it wasn't an ideal place to start a relationship. They survived till the last season, that's when it all fell apart really. Things just started to boil over and by the end, Izzy had enough. She loved Owen, but maybe it wasn't the right time to try her hand at dating. She was going through a lot, what with being on the road all the time, and getting her GED was difficult with so many distractions. Owen led a simpler life; why bring her chaos into it?

For three months, they didn't talk. Then the circus came to his city and she saw him in the crowd. He smiled at her and she almost broke character by waving. After the show, he came backstage and told her he wanted to talk.

"I know we didn't work out the first time, but Izzy, my life without you is boring. You make everything fun and more colourful. I miss the adventures we went on, the things you taught me . . . I miss all of that. I miss you the most though," he sighed. "Do you think you could forgive me?"

At first, she wasn't sure. She didn't want to hurt him any more than she already had. What if things went wrong again? Could she handle losing the person she considered her only dear friend?

With half her clown make up still on, she launched herself at him and kissed him fiercely. Who was she kidding? Her life wasn't the same without him in it either.

Since then, whenever Izzy was in town, they got together. They'd go on adventures, secluded dates in the forest, to plays, walks in the park, anything they could fit in while she balanced work. When she was gone, those were the hardest times, but letters helped. She wrote to him every day and while she didn't always send them, she felt they were still connected, no matter how far she travelled.

Her family decided to stay in town for Christmas that year and Owen was invited to join them for their big dinner in the main tent. By now her family approved of the guy, especially when they realized he made a great trampoline. It was their last performance of the night, just before Christmas, and Izzy rushed backstage to finish Owen's gift. She hadn't had a lot of money that year, mainly because she helped to pay the family bills with her cut of the profits, but she refused to not get him something. Or in this case, make him something.

While rubbing off her make-up, she grabbed the knitting needles attached to the scarf. Just a few more knits and pearls and she'd be done. Hopefully. Izzy tied the peacock robe around her and set to work. Owen would be there any second to help clean up and set up for Christmas. She was technically supposed to be there as well, but being a few minutes late wouldn't kill her. She heard the tent flap open and Owen stuck his head in.

"You decent Iz?"

She squeaked and hid the gift under her robe. "Yup! Decent as ever," she gave a nervous laugh and turned around, gripping the gift around her abdomen.

He raised a curious eyebrow as he came into the private dressing room. "You okay?"

"Yeah, of course, why wouldn't I be?" she answered a little too quickly.

Owen didn't look convinced, but he shrugged. "Okay. Your dad is looking for you to help with the streamers. Want me to tell him you're still getting ready?"

"I-I'll be done soon. You can tell him that."

He nodded. "Alright." He looked ready to go, which she was relieved, but then he stopped and went over to her. "Hey, you were great tonight, you know that?"

Izzy blushed and giggled as his arms wrapped around her waist. "You always say that."

"Because it's true." Just as he was about to kiss her, one of the needles poked him in the stomach. "Ouch!" he yelped.

Izzy gasped. "Owen, are you okay?"

"Yeah, but what the hell stabbed me?"

She grinned sheepishly. "It's a part of your Christmas present. I'll explain later."

"You're giving me needles for Christmas?"

Izzy rolled her eyes and ushered him to the door. "Just go help my dad. I'll be there soon."

"Fine, make me work on an injury," he pouted.

"If you're not bleeding, it's not a real injury," she chuckled. As soon as he was gone, she gave a sigh of relief and pulled out the scarf. 'Next time I'll have to be more careful where I store his gifts.'